A quick-fire move to the other side of the world generally isn't high on someone's list of priorities. Moving to the other side of the world to play a sport you've never played with people you don't know, all at the age of 18 is something most people wouldn't dare to attempt.

That's exactly what the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos' newest Irish recruit Erika O'Shea has done though. The chance to make a name for herself in the AFLW was too good an opportunity to pass up for the young Gaelic star.

The Irish influence on our game runs all the way back to Sean Wright and former Brownlow Medal winner Jim Stynes in the 1980s, and the influence of players like GWS' Cora Staunton, Adelaide's Ailish Considine and Collingwood's Sarah Rowe have left an indelible mark on the women's competition in recent years.

O’Shea is not the first Irish recruit on the Kangaroos list, with Aileen Gilroy and Mairead Seioghe formerly plying their trade at Arden Street. Nor will she be the only Irishwoman at the club for season seven with Vikki Wall still yet to link up with the side, but she has the rare distinction of being the youngest Irish recruit in AFLW history.

After celebrating her 19th birthday among her new Kangaroos teammates, she says moving to AFLW at such a young age gives her the greatest opportunity to succeed at the club.

“It was a big deal for me to move so young, and I had a lot of people telling me I was too young. Obviously I took their opinions into consideration but those closest to me said that the opportunity is actually even more amazing because of my age,” O’Shea told North Media.

“I’ve seen people like Cora Staunton say she wishes she could have come here when she was younger so she could have made a proper career out of AFLW, and that’s something I’m planning on doing.

“I’ve already noticed that I’ve had to mature a lot and I can tell I’ve already grown as a person, and I’ve only been here for a couple of weeks. I think I’m giving myself the best chance to make the most of this opportunity by being so young.”

While her father has joined her on her Australian adventure, O’Shea has had to bid farewell to the majority of her friends and family as she pursues her newfound AFLW dream.

Although that farewell is only temporary, the adjustment to a new home and a new career is definitely made harder by the lack of familiar faces.

She says knowing she has so many people willing her on from home gives her even more drive to get the best out of herself.

“I have a really big support group back home. They’re unbelievable for me because they push me to work harder,” she said.

“My clubs back home keep asking me for photos to be able to post and share because they’re proud of me.

“It’s been such a good tool to be able to push myself harder and not just work for myself, but work for them too so I can do them proud.”

Despite still being new to the game, especially compared to some of her more senior teammates, O’Shea is already showing the hallmarks of being able to be a strong influence in the wide areas of the ground.

Her natural athleticism and aerobic fitness have seen her climb the ranks to make a name for herself as one of the top runners at the club, and a naturally long kick has the potential to cause problems for opposition defenders inside 50.

However these natural attributes count for little if they’re not accompanied by the drive to improve and the will to get better, both of which are assets O’Shea has in spades.

Often one of the first players to training and one of the last to leave, she’s even surprising herself with how quickly she’s improving.

“‘Crock’ (senior coach Darren Crocker) has been amazing. He’s so skilful and I’m learning a lot from him. I feel like I’m coming on a lot faster than I thought I’d be,” she said.

“It’s the same with Emma Kearney. She’s been taking me for little sessions before training and she’s been helping me a lot with my tackling.

“My skills obviously have a way to go, but I’m definitely improving thanks to so many people already helping me so much.

“I was actually very nervous coming over, but straight away I’ve made lifelong friends. I’m loving all the girls and I can’t believe how close I am to them all already. It’s just a delight to be here.”